So happy to hear Jim is doing well. You are a great support. I had no idea the heart machine stayed on that long... Good to hear this now instead of the day before my surgery. Keep by his side! Stephanie Cole

Dear Jim, and Mary Beth,
My husband is schedule for surgery on Feb 28 for aortic valve repair. I'm a nurse also and I'm scared also. I'm happy with the surgeon and pray that all will go well. My husband hates hospitals so I feel sorry for the nurses. I wish the best for your husband and for yourself and keep you both in my prayers.
Jean

Jim Carney So far everything has gone great for us BUT I am so relieved that the surgery is done--My biggest relief came when they phone to the waiting room that he was ... Read more

Jim Carney So far everything has gone great for us BUT I am so relieved that the surgery is done--My biggest relief came when they phone to the waiting room that he was off of bypass--I guess as nurses we know just too much--Good luck on the 28th--you have our prayers.

On February 7, 2011...

Dear Jim and Mary Beth:
My prayers are with you and the prayers of all the Sisters here.
Please try to be calm and take each day as it comes.
Love,
Trish

Hi Jim and wife. I had aortic valve replacement and ascending aortic repair on Jan 7th. I was freaked out of course. The thing is they have perfected this surgery over the past 30 years they almost treat it as routine. Surgical risk is very very low. Less than 1percent generally.

I started back to work part time yesterday - just over two weeks post op. With no other health issues, recovery is fast !!

Jim is going to do great !! I think the key is to keep stress levels down pre surgery. The toughest part is the waiting !! The surgery was much easier than the mental game leading up to it.

Stay positive and look forward to being fixed and free of the worry. Dean muglia

Hey Jim and Jim's wife. I need to have a valve replacement in a couple of months too. My surgeon said there is a possibility of needing an aorta and root replacement too. I asked him if replacing these along with the valve will add any risk to my recovery or my physical performance, and he said that the heart doesn't even know you have a new valve or aorta, just that they are functioning better.

To keep my fears at bay I am asking my doctors lots of questions and doing a lot of prep work and planning. I am building my support team, making schedules and setting goals. I think this will all help me to be prepared and keep my mind focused on recovery and not worrying about a future that hasn't happened yet.

Keep coming to this site becaue no matter what question you have, somebody's been through it already and has an answer. We are all here for you. I have subscribed to your journal and will be following your progress. We can do this!

Hi Jim and Mary Beth,
I know this is a very scary time-just waiting and wondering what you are going to go through, how your future health will be impacted, and how you will cope with everything. We will be praying for you both as well as for the doctors, nurses, therapists who will be caring for you. Please know you can talk to us any time if you need to have a willing listener. I'm glad you have found this website and this information.
Love,Margie

Welcome to HVJ.. I hope you have had a chance to review some of our journals, as many of us have expressed the same fears and concerns you are going through right now.

I had a procedure very similar to what Jim will go through in May of 2010 at the Cleveland Clinic. I had me aortic valve replaced with a bovine valve along with a reapir of an aortric anuerysm which meant a root replacement and 3 inches of my aortic artery replaced with a dacron sheath.

As scary as it all sounds, all went well and I was very fortunate to enjoy a quick and complete recovery. Almost every one of us has some hiccup or two in the recovery process, but we mostly make it through ok. Be patient, listen to the medical team and push yourself a little more each day.

I would encourage you to lengthen your recovery window till at least 8 weeks before you think about going back to work, and hope it is quicker. I was back at work at 6 weeks, but most people take 8 - 12 weeks before they are up to it. I really could have (should have) waited two more weeks, but I was bored at home.

Good luck to both of you, and spend some time reading Adams book and our journals. It will very much prepare you for the experience ahead.